Indiana Legislators and Life Sciences Leaders Collaborate 

Earlier this week, Genesis Plastics Welding’s CEO and President Tom Ryder took part in the first in a series of Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council (IMDMC) and the Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF) sponsored panel discussions about life sciences policy in the state of Indiana. The goal of the panel discussion series is to bring life science, health and medical device industry leaders together with state legislators to discuss Indiana’s life sciences landscape and brainstorm policy recommendations to strengthen the life sciences sector within the state.

“Many beneficial points were made during this first panel discussion, but what it truly comes down to is the people,” said Ryder. “Continued life science growth in Indiana is dependent on finding and developing the right workforce to take all of us into a strong future.”

Ryder, an IMDMC board member and a voice within the organization for small to mid-size medical device players, also discussed with state legislators the need to find additional ways to encourage “in-sourcing” within the state. “Companies like Genesis Plastics Welding exist to support the larger OEMs. It would be tremendous to see tax incentives put in place that reward large OEMs for contracting with supporting companies within their own state for services and components,” said Ryder. “In-sourcing is a measure that naturally fits within Indiana’s goals of creating more life sciences jobs and helping businesses within the state flourish.”

This first panel event was held at Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis and featured Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-17). Other contributors to the panel discussion were Indiana Commission For Higher Education Teresa Lubbers, Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Steve Braun, OrthoWorx Executive Director Brad Bishop, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute Director David Broecker, Indiana Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brinegar and Jennifer Zinn and Greta Clark from Roche.

The next MedTech/Life Sciences Policy Forum will be held in New Albany on September 24, 2015 at the Purdue Technology Center.